CAMP IN DESERT.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 253, 23 September 1940, Page 7

CAMP IN DESERT.

NEW ZEALAND SOLDIERS

AWAITING THE ITALIANS

(N Z.E.F. Official News Service.) ' CAIRO, Sept. 20. . .Somewhere in the sunbaked Western Desert the First New Zealand Echelon to-day stands ready lor action as a complete and distinct fighting foimation which will play its part side l»j side with the recently-strengthened British land forces in the Middle Last Command. Life in modern nnlitaij camps now seems a thing of the past. The headquarters field camp, yom whence this message is despatched, nestles in rolling desert country overlooking the eternally blue waters ot the Mediterranean. _ Our only neighbours are comrades-in-arms from Biitain and the Empire, with whom the New Zealanders fraternise nightly. The camp is typical of those found in the field and is so reduced to essentials that it could lie completely packed and moved at brief notice. Hie tents and vehicles arc widely scattered ; the only building is a portable* cookhouse, erected in sections. AMPLE COMFORT.

Despite the curtailment of permanent camp amenities the troops lose little in comfort. The smoothlyrunning supply system ensures the dalivery of ample fresh ioodstuffs and water, and the cooks arc doing a splendid job’ under more difficult conditions. The daily swim in a clear warm sea is an unending delight, and sines bathing suits are entirely out of fashion here’ our bodies arc becoming bronzed from head to foot. The temperate climate is frea from the oppressive heat encountered inland and seems conducive to good health. I‘Rty cigarettes a week are issued to all troops, who are also no longer required to pay surface letter postage. The contingent is now approaching the end of its first yeah in khaki, and one week’s leave continues to be granted in rotation to small numbers. Arrangements have been made for cheap city lodgings, while eight days may be spent in Palestine for only 70s. All ranks are hard and fit and in good spirits. Past and current mails are arriving regularly